***Official*** English Football Season 2018-19

[Cabinet96]

Wait are we talking about the same Sterling who scored 18 goals in the league last season?

 

[andmark]

Wait are we talking about the same Sterling who scored 18 goals in the league last season?

Yeah, but it's undeniable that he does miss some chances he should take. It's the sort of criticism I'd only make for a quality player in the same way that if I was judging Shane Warne, I might suggest he should get a bit more drift. If it was some kid, I'd be impressed enough with the bowling. I don't know if that makes sense bur it's the best way I can think of explaining it.

 

[Jarquis]

Yeah, but while he misses some simpler ones, at times he also scores some far harder ones that other players wouldn't.

If you want him to do both then it basically becomes "score every shot you take and be the greatest finisher to have ever played the game". It's the same nonsense trotted about Cavani - yeah, he might miss some chances but (a) it's more noticeable because he puts himself in positions to take those chances far more often than most other players and (b) finishing is ****ing hard.

 

[andmark]

Yeah, but while he misses some simpler ones, at times he also scores some far harder ones that other players wouldn't.

If you want him to do both then it basically becomes "score every shot you take and be the greatest finisher to have ever played the game". It's the same nonsense trotted about Cavani - yeah, he might miss some chances but (a) it's more noticeable because he puts himself in positions to take those chances far more often than most other players and (b) finishing is ****ing hard.

It's not something I feel particularly strongly about, just a pet peeve which he himself must get annoyed with. He's a clearly quality player regardless of missing some of the simpler chances.

 

[Uppercut]

There's such a clear divide in how people talk about finishing these days. Basically a ~perfect indicator of whether they've heard the Analytics Gospel.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Sterling never misses the ones that matter. He might miss an outrageous tap-in at 3-0 up but he'll always come through in the big spot. At least he has for City in the last few seasons. I used to be down on him because of it too but I've definitely come around.

 

[andmark]

Perhaps yeah. An instance which stands out to me though is City vs Man Utd last year at the Etihad. He missed some easy ones in the first half, but the commentators laughed it off because City were in that imperious form and were 2-0 up. It ultimately did matter though when United came back to win 3-2. Granted, it's an extreme example, but it shows that it can matter.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Perhaps yeah. An instance which stands out to me though is City vs Man Utd last year at the Etihad. He missed some easy ones in the first half, but the commentators laughed it off because City were in that imperious form and were 2-0 up. It ultimately did matter though when United came back to win 3-2. Granted, it's an extreme example, but it shows that it can matter.

Did it matter? They may have lost the game but they were nearly 20 points up at the time. What about the goals against Bournemouth, Southampton and Huddersfield, all in the dying moments, that secured 9 extra points last season. Without those points maybe the United game actually does matter.

In the end Uppercut is right. Mathematically, you can't score them all. He may not be a stone cold killer in front of goal but he's always in the right spot and that's all you can really ask.

 

[andmark]

Did it matter? They may have lost the game but they were nearly 20 points up at the time. What about the goals against Bournemouth, Southampton and Huddersfield, all in the dying moments, that secured 9 extra points last season. Without those points maybe the United game actually does matter.

In the end Uppercut is right. Mathematically, you can't score them all. He may not be a stone cold killer in front of goal but he's always in the right spot and that's all you can really ask.

A match is a match I guess, and it did also have the emotional importance of winning the league by beating their biggest rivals. They were obviously going to win the league regardless, but it did have a degree of importance emotionally.

Yeah, you can't score them all of course. It was just a little niggle for me which doesn't really matter.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

I just quickly looked it up, Sterling scored 5 goals after the 80th minute while City were tied or behind, 4 of them were in the league and won a total of 10 points directly. The one in the UCL was a meaningless Group Stage game.

97 - Bournemouth (2:1)
82 - Everton (1:1)
84 - Huddersfield (2:1)
96 - Southampton (2:1)
88 - Feyenoord (1:0)

I'm not gonna look it up but I'd be surprised if anyone else in the league was close last season in terms of hugely important goals.

 

[EmJo]

Does plenty regardless of how many chances he finishes tbh. His lack of goals is a bit of a red-herring when you consider what else he brings to a side. I mean, yeah, more goals would be nice, but you could say that of literally any player.

Which one Laurent or Steven???? Both decent forwards but feel we'll crack them in soon.

 

[andmark]

Which one Laurent or Steven???? Both decent forwards but feel we'll crack them in soon.

Sterling I believe.

 

[EmJo]

Sterling I believe.

Don't see anyone called Sterling on our team? Unless you're talking about the one who plays for (the team that can't be mentioned). Unless you mean Isaac Mbenza?

 

[sledger]

Oh good, more intelligible posting.

 

[EmJo]

Oh good, more intelligible posting.

Don't worry no one has mentioned City or United or the other teams across the way.

 

[EmJo]

Who here things Jose Mourinho has a caste iron set of balls you have to admire the man even though you just can't stomach any team from Wancashire.

 

[andmark]

Don't worry no one has mentioned City or United or the other teams across the way.

In fairness, I made a minor point about Raheem Sterling which I now regret...

 

[cpr]

Did it matter? They may have lost the game but they were nearly 20 points up at the time.

Did it matter? You lost the derby 3-2. When did that stop mattering? Considering we spent the entire 90's listening to City fans harp on about 5-1 like a Scotland fan in '67, then the bragging rights being thoroughly exercised in the matches since then, I'm intrigued when it stopped mattering.

But it is misses like that that enforce the idea of Sterling not being great in front of goal - his reputation is down to missing easy chances/one on ones when they could make a difference. As someone regularly cheering for him to miss throughout his Liverpool/City days, I tend to feel like it happens more than it should.

Doesn't take away from the fact he's still an absolute brilliant player, and one I don't mind doing well so long as its not against us

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Did it matter? You lost the derby 3-2. When did that stop mattering? Considering we spent the entire 90's listening to City fans harp on about 5-1 like a Scotland fan in '67, then the bragging rights being thoroughly exercised in the matches since then, I'm intrigued when it stopped mattering.

It matters to the fans, absolutely no doubt, but I wasn't really talking about the fans. Whether it matters that much to the players I'm not so sure. I'm sure it sucked at the time but 12 hours later? Who knows.

But it is misses like that that enforce the idea of Sterling not being great in front of goal - his reputation is down to missing easy chances/one on ones when they could make a difference. As someone regularly cheering for him to miss throughout his Liverpool/City days, I tend to feel like it happens more than it should.

I'd argue that being someone who often roots for him to miss, his misses would stick in your memory and you would attach more meaning to them. I should absolutely be the one who is fixated on his misses as a huge deal, but I'm not. What does that tell you?


btw, good job playing the definitely not mad or jealous United fan.

 

[cpr]

You're right, the misses do stick more for that reason. I'd also wager they stick more in the minds of pundits and media critics too - especially for a player who they love to **** on - perpetrating the whole '****s up' persona. Still though, that one, and the one 5 minutes into the World Cup, don't exactly help.



Happily swap him for Sanchez if you're keen...........